From her perches on the U.S. Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and its Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee, last week, U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, D-Fla., announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will send $8,538,448 to Homestead to help it recover from Hurricane Irma.
Earlier this year, Mucarsel-Powell pressed FEMA for more help to help South Florida recover from Hurricane Irma which hit the region three years ago.
“I’m proud to have followed through on my commitment to fight for the FEMA funds owed to our communities still recovering from Hurricane Irma’s destruction,” said Mucarsel-Powell. “These FEMA grants will reimburse Homestead for debris removal and electrical infrastructure repairs. I will continue urging state and federal agencies to release the full funding promised so that we can increase our preparedness and resiliency for future storms.”
Homestead Mayor Steven Losner thanked the congresswoman and U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Rick Scott, R-Fla.
“Thanks to the outstanding team effort of staff and elected officials from both sides of the aisle, including Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, Senator Marco Rubio, and Senator Rick Scott, the city of Homestead will be receiving nearly $9 million in FEMA Grants resulting from Hurricane Irma,” said Losner. “This comes at a crucial time for us to replenish City Reserves as we continue to face the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The bulk of the funds–$6,377,462.68–will go for electric distribution repairs while $2,160,986.90 will be used for debris removal.
Mucarsel-Powell is in what is expected to be one of the most competitive congressional races in the nation. She faces Miami Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez who won the Republican nomination in August.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
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